Their Story

In 1969, Jerry started teaching himself the pedal steel guitar and joined his friend, rhythm guitarist John “Marmaduke” Dawson, who was writing and playing country songs in small club gigs. Before long, David Nelson on lead guitar, Bob Mathews on bass, and Mickey Hart on drums rounded out the lineup of the New Riders of the Purple Sage. The band was soon playing many shows with the Grateful Dead. Bob Mathews stepped down in the fall of ’69 and Phil Lesh filled in until Dave Torbert joined the permanent lineup. Hart would eventually be replaced by ex-Jefferson Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden and finally, in November of ’71, Jerry would step down, being replaced by Buddy Cage. This final move allowed the NRPS to untether from the Grateful Dead.

Musicians

  • Jerry Garcia

    pedal steel guitar

    1969 - 1971

  • David Nelson

    lead guitar, vocals

    1969 - 1971

  • John Dawson

    rhythm guitar, vocals

    1969 - 1971

  • Dave Torbert

    bass, vocals

    1970 - 1971

  • Spencer Dryden

    drums

    1970 - 1971

  • Mickey Hart

    drums

    1969 - 1970

  • Phil Lesh

    bass

    1969 - 1969
    1969 - 1969

  • Bob Matthews

    bass

    1969 - 1969